Damper



A151il 28, 1959 F. HONERKAMP ET AL 2,884,005

- DAMPER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 27. 195e Zqynwnd gSZBarZow, B

Aprii 28, 1959 F. HONRKAMP m; 2,884,005

DAMPER Filed July 27, v1956 s Sheets-sheet 2 [I fg .f ne

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April 28,` 1959 F. HONERKAMP- ETAL DMPER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 friedrich Hbnerkwnp 175461322: Illzru Filed' July 27, 1956 Rqynwnd/ LSCBarZoiU, BY

United States Patent DAMPER Friedrich Honerkamp, West Hartford, Conn., Franz J. Kurth, Mamaroneck, N.Y., and Raymond S. Barlow, Hartford, Coun., assignors to Anemostat Corporation of America, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Application `Iuly 27, 1956, Serial No. 600,581

7 Claims. (Cl. 137-601) This invention relates to dampers for regulating ow of air through air ducts of Ventilating systems and for analogous uses, and has particular reference to improvements in dampers of the collapsible and expansible louver type.

Generally speaking the objects of the invention are to provide a damper of the collapsible and expansible louver type which is very simple in construction; which may be manufactured economically; which has little tendency to create turbulence of the air which it controls and which, hence, operates substantially noiselessly even though the air flowing therethrough may be at high velocity; which oifers minimum resistance to ow of air therethrough when its louvers are fully collapsed, and which includes simple means whereby the louvers may readily and easily be collapsed andexpanded to regulate the air flow.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, as will become more fully apparent as the nature of the invention is lbetter understood, the same consists in a damper of the collapsible and explansible louver type embodying the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and as will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the different views:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a damper constructed in accordance with one practical embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the damper showing the louvers thereof fully expanded and the damper consequently closed.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the louvers fully collapsed and the damper consequently fully open.

Fig. 4 is a section taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section taken approximately on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through a portion of the damper showing the same in approximately half open condition; and

Fig. 7 is a view partly in elevation 'and partly in section, illustrating details of the louver operating means.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A designates, generally, a rectangular frame which defines a passageway for the air to be controlled or regulated and which, as will be understood, is intended to be interposed in an air duct so as to form a part thereof. As shown, said frame may be provided at its front and rear ends with anges 10 to be riveted, bolted, welded or otherwise fastened to similar duct flanges to incorporate said frame in a duct.

The frame A includes side walls 11, 11 and end walls 12, 12 and, in yaccordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, additionally includes a pair of plates 13, 13 spot-welded or otherwise suitably secured ICC against the inner faces of the side walls 11, 11, respectively.

The plates 13, 13 may appropriately correspond in length and width to the frame side walls 11, 11 and each plate is suitably formed with a pair of inwardly directed, spaced Aapart ribs 14 and 15 which extend longitudinally thereof and dene between them an inwardly opening, longitudinally extending channel 16. Equivalently, the frame side Walls 11, 11 may be formed with the ribs 14, 15 and the channels 16, in which case the plates 13, 13 are unnecessary. However, for reasons of simplicity and economy in manufacture of the frame A, use of the plates 13, 13 is preferred, particularly since they serve to reinforce and stiffen said frame.

With reference to the direction of flow of air through the frame A, the ribs 14 are located adjacent to the front or upstream end of said frame and the ribs 15 are located rearwardly of said ribs 14 or toward the downstream end of said frame. Said ribs and, hence, the channels 16 extend preferably from end to end of the plates 13, 13.

Within the frame A is a series of duplicate collapsible and expansible louvers, individually designated generally as B, which extend transversely of said frame between the ribs 14, 15 of the plates 13, 13 :and which are disposed in side to side spaced apart relatio-nship to each other in a row extending from end to end of said frame.

Each louver B is composed o-f a first plate, designated Ias 17, a second plate, designated as 18, a third plate, designated as 19, and a fourth plate, designated as 20.

The plates 17 are relatively wide and preferably are disposed parallel to the general direction of flow of air through the frame A. In other Words, said plates 17 preferably are disposed parallel to the end walls 12, 12 of the frame A.

Along their side edges all of the plates 17, 18, 19 and 20 of each louver are serrated and rolled to provide hinge eyes 21, and in each louver the hinge eyes along the front or upstream side edge of the rst plate 17 are interfitted with the hinge eyes lalong one side edge of the second plate 18 and are pivotally connected thereto by a hinge pin 22. Similarly, in each louver, the hinge eyes along the rear of downstream side edge of the frst plate 17 are intertted with the hinge eyes alo-ng one side edge of the third plate 19 and are pivotally connected thereto by a hinge pin 23. Also, in each louver, the hinge eyes along the other side edge of the second plate 18 are intertted with the hinge eyes along one side edge of the fourth plate 20 and are pivotally connected thereto by a hinge pin 24. Finally, in each louver, the hinge eyes along the other side edge of the third plate and the rear edge 0f the fourth plate are interlitted with each other and are pivotally connected together by a hinge pin 25.

End portions of the hinge pins 22 of the several louvers B project beyond the ends of said louvers land are engaged in holes in the ribs 14 of the plates 13. Similarly, end portions of the hinge pins 23 of the several louvers project beyond the ends of said louvers and are engaged in holes in the ribs 15 of the plates 13. Therefore, the plates 17 of the several louvers are fixed in the frame A. Said plates 17 are equally spaced apart and their spacing determines, of course, the spaced apart relationship to each other of the several louvers B.

End portions of the hinge pins 24 of the several louvers B also project beyond the ends of said louvers and are engaged in holes in rods 26, 26 which are disposed in and extend longitudinally of the channels 16, 16, respectively.

The second plates 18 of the several louvers B extend at all times rearwardly from the front edges of the first plates 17 and are of widths suitably greater than the disases, ons

tances between said first plates 17 so that they are not swingable about the hinge pins 22 away from said first plates beyond positions in which they form suitable acute angles with said first plates. In other words, the amount of swinging movement of the second plate 18 away from the first plate 17 of any given louver is limited by contact of the rear edge or what may be termed the free edge of said second plate with the first plate 17 of the next adjacent louver, and since in each louver, the second plate 18 extends rearwardly from the first plate 17, the second plate is not swingable away from the first plate beyond a position in which it forms an acute angle therewith.

In each louver all of the hinge eyes 21 of the plates 17, 18, 19 and 29 are turned or rolled inwardly from said plates so that they are disposed within the louver and do not interfere with smooth tiow of air over the louver. In other words, by reason of the hinge eyes 21 being turned or rolled inwardly from the plates 17, 18, 19 and 2i), the exterior surfaces of the louvers are smooth, even at the junctions of the plates 17, 18, 19 and 28 with one another.

In each louver the second plate 18 is swingable toward the first plate until the hinge eyes at the junction of said second plate 18 with the fourth plate 28 engage the iirst plate 17. 1n this connection, the third plate 19 is of less width than the second plate 18 and the fourth plate 29 is of such width that when the second plate 18 is at its limit of swinging movement toward the first plate 17, the second and the fourth plates 18 and 211, respectively, are disposed substantially in a common plane, substantially parallel to the first plate 17, the third plate 19 extends rearwardly from the first plate 17 and is disposed substantially in the plane thereof, and the louver as a whole is relatively thin, being no thicker than the diameter of a single hinge eye 21 plus the thickness of a single plate.

1n order that tiow of air through the entire cross sectional area of the air passageway formed by the frame A may be controlled by collapse and expansion of the series of louvers B disposed in said passageway, the first plate 17 of one of the terminal louvers of the series is disposed against one of the end walls 12 of said frame and the other terminal louver of the series has its first plate 17 spaced from the other end wall 12 of said frame an amount equal to the spacing of the first walls 17 of the louvers from each other. Thereby, the second plate 18 of the last mentioned terminal louver cooperates with the last mentioned end wall of the frame A to control flow of air through the space between said last mentioned terminal louver and said last mentioned frame end wall in the same manner as the plates 18 of the other louvers cooperate with the plates 17 of the louvers next adjacent thereto to control flow of air through the spaces between the louvers.

Obviously, by longitudinally shifting the rods 26, the hinge pins 24 may be moved toward and away from the plates 17 to simultaneously collapse and expand the louvers B. When the louvers are fully collapsed, as shown in Fig. 3, the plates 17 and 19 of each louver are disposed substantially in a common plane and the plates 18 and 20 are disposed in another substantially common plane closely adjacent to the plates 17, 19 and substantially parallel thereto. The louvers then are of minimum thickness and the spaces between them are of maximum widths so that minimum resistance to flow of air through the frame A is offered, particularly since the louvers are disposed parallel to the general direction of oW of air through said frame. On the other hand, when the louvers are fully expanded, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the plates 18 extend fully across the spaces between the plates 17 and across the space between the second mentioned terminal louver and the second mentioned end wall 12 of the frame A and thereby deny all ow of air through the frame A.

In intermediate positions of collapse or expansion of the louvers B, the rear ends of the second plates 18 of the louvers are more or less spaced from the plates 17 of adjacent louvers and from the second mentioned end wall 12 of the frame A and thereby more or less air is permitted to flow through the damper. In this connection the third plates 19 preferably are of such less widths than the second plates 18 that in intermediate positions of collapse or expansion of the louvers B the rearward divergence of the fourth plates 28 relative to the first plates 17 of the adjacent louvers is such that the angles between said fourth and said first plates permit ready expansion and smo-oth ow of air between said plates substantially without creation of turbulence or noise. Further in this connection, the general tear-drop, cross sectionai shape of the louvers B in intermediate positions of collapse or expansion thereof contributes materially to smooth, non-turbulent, noiseless ow of air through the damper.

While any suitable means may be provided to shift the rods 26 longitudinally to collapse or expand the louvers B, the present invention provides a very simple, practical, inexpensive means for this purpose. A shaft 27 extends transversely across the frame A, forwardly of the louvers B and preferably intermediate the ends of said frame, and is suitably mounted for rotation in the side walls 11, 11 of said frame. On said shaft, outwardly of but closely adjacent to the side walls 11, 11 of the frame A, are mounted two lever arms 28, 28, respectively, which have therein radially extending slots 29 wherein are disposed pins 30 which are fixed to the rods 26 and which extend through slots 31 in the frame side walls 11 and the plates 18. Thus, by rotating the shaft 27 in one direction the rods 26 may be shifted longitudinally in a direction to collapse the louvers B, while by rotating said shaft in the opposite direction the rods 26 may be shifted longitudinally in a direction to expand said louvers. Either or both end portions of the shaft 27 may be provided with a knob or handle or may be formed in any suitable manner for engagement therewith by any suitable implement to effect rotation of the shaft 27.

Preferably the lever arms 28, 28 are of sector shapes so as to cover the slots 31 and prevent escape of air therethrough from the interior of the frame A.

Since the pins 30 are constrained to move in arcs corresponding to the arcs of movement of the hinge pins 22, the slots 31 are of arcuate form having radii corresponding to the radii of the arcs of movement of said hinge pins 22. The channels 16 are, of course, amply wide to permit the rods 26 to partake of the lateral movements which result from their longitudinal shifting movement.

Obviously, only a single rod 26 and only a single lever arm 28 may be used in lieu of the two rods and two lever arms shown as a means of collapsing and expanding the louvers B.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings it is believed that the construction and mode of operation of the present damper will be clearly understood and that its advantages will be appreciated. It is desired to point out, however, that while only a single specific structural embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, the same is readily capable of specifically different structural embodiments within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An air iiow control damper comprising a plurality of collapsible and expansible louvers disposed in side to side evenly spaced apart relationship to each other and each comprising a first plate, a second plate of less width than said first plate and of greater width than the distance between the first plates of adjacent louvers hinged at its front edge to the front edge of said first asse-,ooe

plate and extending rearwardly from the front edge of said first plate, a third plate of less width than said second plate hinged along one edge thereof to the rear edge of said first plate, a fourth plate hinged at its front edge to the rear edge of said second plate and hinged at its rear edge to the other edge of said third plate, the combined width of said first and third plates being equal to the combined width of said second and fourth plates, one of said plates of each of said louvers being fixed, and means connecting said louvers and operable to simultaneously swing the second, third and fourth plates of each louver relative to the first plate thereof and relative to each other to simultaneously collapse and expand said louvers, said louvers in their collapsed position lying in planes parallel ot each other, the hinge connections between said plates comprising interfitting eyes at adjacent edges of said plates and hinge pins extending through lsaid eyes, said eyes being disposed interiorly of said louvers.

2. A damper as set forth in claim 1 in which the first plate is fixed.

3. A damper as set forth in claim 1 in which, in each louver, the relative widths of the plates are such that the third plate is disposed substantially in a rearward prolongation of the plane of the first plate, and the second and fourth plates are disposed in a substantially common plane substantially parallel to the first plate and closely adjacent thereto, when the louvers are fully collapsed.

4. A damper as set forth in claim 1 in which the spaced apart relationship of the louvers and, in each louver, the relative widths of the plates are such that the second plate extends rearwardly from the front edge of the first plate at an acute angle to said first plate and at its rear edge contacts the first plate of the next adjacent louver when the louvers are fully expanded.

5. An air flow control damper comprising a rectangular frame defining an air passageway, a plurality of collapsible and expansible louvers disposed in side to side evenly spaced apart relationship to each other in said frame and extending thereacross, each louver comprising a fixed first plate disposed parallel to the direction of flow of air through said frame, a second plate of less width than said first plate and of greater width than the distance between the first plates of adjacent louvers hinged at its front edge to the front edge of said first plate and extending rearwardly from the front edge of said first plate, a third plate of less width than said second plate hinged-along one edge thereof to the rear edge of said first plate, a fourth plate hinged at its front edge to the rear edge of said second plate and hinged at its rear edge to the other edge of said third plate, the combined Width of said first and third plates being equal to the combined width of said second and fourth plates, 'a rod connecting together the hinges between the second and the fourth plates of all of the louvers, and means for longitudinally shifting said rod to simultaneously collapse and expand the louvers, said louvers in their collapsed position lying in planes parallel to each other, the hinge connections between said plates comprising interfitting eyes at adjacent edges of said plates and hinge pins extending through said eyes, said eyes being disposed interiorly of said louvers.

6. A damper as set forth in claim 5 in which the means to shift the rod comprises a lever arm pivoted to the frame and operatively connected to the rod.

7. An air flow control damper comprising a rectangular frame defining an air passageway, said frame including side and end walls, said side walls each having a pair of ribs extending longitudinally thereof and spaced apart to define a channel therebetween, a plurality of collapsible and expansible louvers disposed in side to side evenly spaced apart relationship to each other in said frame and extending thereacross, each louver comprising a first plate disposed parallel to the direction of flow of air through said frame and provided at its front and rear edges with spaced apart hinge eyes, a second plate of less width than said first plate and of greater width than the distance between the first plates of adjacent louvers having hinge eyes at its front edge interfitted with the hinge eyes at the front edge of said first plate, a hinge pin extending through said hinge eyes 'and engaged in the side Walls of said frame to fix the positions of the front ends of said first and second plates, a third plate of less width than said second plate having hinge eyes along one edge thereof interfitted with the hinge eyes at the rear edge of said first plate, a hinge pin extending through said last mentioned hinge eyes and engaged in the side walls of said frame to fix the positions of the rear edge of said first plate and the adjacent edge of said third plate, said third plate having hinge eyes at its opposite edge, said second plate having hinge eyes -at its rear edge, a fourth plate having hinge eyes at its rear edge hingedly connected with the hinge eyes at the said opposite edge of said third plate and having hinge eyes at its front edge interfitted with the hinge eyes at the rear edge of said second plate, a hinge pin extending through said last mentioned hinge eyes, the combined width of said first and third plates being equal to the combined width of said second and fourth plates, rods disposed in and extending longitudinally of said channels, the end portions of the last mentioned hinge pins of all of the louvers being engaged with said rods whereby longitudinal movement of said rods is effective to collapse and expand all of the louvers simultaneously, said louvers in their collapsed position lying in planes parallel to each other, and means for longitudinally shifting said rods, all of the hinge eyes of each louver being disposed interiorly of the louver.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS None Brewster Dec. 3l, 1833 2,672,088 Orr Mar. 16, 1954 

